A MOTORCYCLIST killed while out on a training run died in just the kind of accident he was trying to learn to avoid, an inquest heard.

York Coroner Donald Coverdale said the death of Michael Patrick Gooch, 50, of Filey, showed the dangers encountered on the roads of North Yorkshire every year.

He said: "This case highlights the vulnerability of motorcycle riders."

The inquest heard that Mr Gooch was killed as he took part in an intensive training course run by the Bradford-based BMF Rider Training Scheme.

Travelling on the A166 from York to Stamford Bridge, Mr Gooch was being instructed by Alan Mitchell, of Mirfield, West Yorkshire, and accompanied by fellow learner Peter Holgate, from the Driffield area.

Mr Holgate was leading the party when his motorcycle collided with a Citroen Xsara car coming in the opposite direction.

The car then spun across the road, and was involved in a collision with Mr Gooch.

He was thrown over the car and landed in a nearby field, and died at the scene of multiple injuries caused by the collision.

The inquest heard that Mr Holgate had not correctly ridden a left hand bend in the road.

PC David Taylor from the Collision Investigation Unit, said: "In my opinion from the evidence Mr Holgate has had what we call 'pilot fixation', he sat up in the bend, which changed his centre of gravity and took him in a straight line across the line of the car.

"It was either this or he was fatigued due to a long day and some inclement weather, which meant that he could not physically take this bend."

Mr Coverdale said: "Once the motorcyclists were committed to taking the bend they were unable to do anything to avoid a crisis.

"This is a very sad matter, as both of these drivers had taken this course hoping to gain experience on the course to help them deal with situations just such as this one, but sadly for all concerned it did not turn out that way."

He said: "Mr Gooch's family felt the matter would be too upsetting for them to be here today, but I would like to extend my sympathies to the family."

The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death.

Updated: 11:03 Thursday, April 10, 2003